Parents and students at Seminole Heights Elementary School in Tampa are expressing concerns over recent changes to intersections on Central Avenue. The intersections at Hanna Avenue and Lake Avenue, which previously had traffic lights, have been converted into four-way stops as part of a new bikeway project by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Safety Concerns at the School Intersection

At the corner of Hanna Avenue and Central Avenue, where the school is located, parents like Tara Makas are worried about the new traffic setup.

“It’s now extremely terrifying to walk through this area,” said Makas, a Tampa native who attended Seminole Heights Elementary herself and now walks her daughter to and from the school.

Makas says she never felt unsafe crossing the street until the changes were implemented.

“If I’m walking across the street to pick her up or drop her off, I want to trust that someone will stop,” Makas said, adding that even with crossing guards present, the intersection feels less secure.

Issues With the New Setup

One major concern is the removal of the pedestrian crossing signal, which Makas says has made crossing the road more dangerous.

“There’s no way of pressing the light and waiting for something to change so we can cross the road safely,” she explained.

Makas has already witnessed a crash at the intersection and says traffic often becomes congested, especially when there are delays on nearby I-275.

City’s Perspective on the Change

The intersection modifications are part of FDOT’s bikeway project, with assistance from the city of Tampa. Officials plan to remove the flashing red traffic lights and replace them permanently with stop signs after a 90-day observation period to monitor the intersection’s functionality.

According to city officials, similar changes at other intersections have successfully reduced speeds and made crossings safer by requiring all vehicles to come to a complete stop.

However, Makas and other parents feel the new setup has made the intersection more dangerous, especially for pedestrians.

“When the light was still functioning, I didn’t see any issues,” Makas said. “I understand that some runners and bikers thought the four-way stop would be more useful, but it’s not working for everyone.”

Parents Push for Reversal

In response to the changes, Makas and other concerned parents have started a petition to reverse the decision.

“Ultimately, I think putting the lights back the way they were would be the best solution,” Makas said. “But if that’s not possible, there should at least be beacon lights to signal when pedestrians are crossing.”

As the city continues to monitor the intersection during the transition period, parents are hoping their concerns will lead to a safer solution for the community.

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(Image credit: Spectrum Bay News 9/Tim Wronka)